Portable table



July 20, 1943. w. c. F. DIETz PORTABLE TABLE Filed Aug. 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l /l/l//ll/l/[ll/ 26 iLLJ//l lv/ m 7, m 6 w m/ July 20, 1.943- w. c. F.4 DIETz PORTABLE TABLE Filed Aug. 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1943 UNITED 4. STATES PATENT OFFICE f f 2,324,684 t s PORTABLE TABLE 4 William C. F. Dietz, Amberley, Ohio Application August 18, 1941, Serial No. 407,296

` 2 claims. (C1. sil-490) It is the object fof my invention to provide a table. of novelconstruction, arranged to be partially supported Lonorlin adjacency to a person using the same, as on thelap of the user, orthe arms or otherportions fof the chair in` which the user is sitting. 4 s 4 Y .It is the object of `my invention, further, to provide such a table which is foldable; further, to provide such a table which may also serve as a container of objects to be used in connection therewith, such as cards or other games, books,

writing paper and envelopes, sewing material and implements, or other objects which canbe employed in the use of the table, and, further, to provide additional supporting means for the table.

My invention consists in novel means for accomplishing the objects stated; further, in` providing alleg for such table which is collapsible with relation to the table for convenient disposition when the table is not in use; and, further, to provide a receptacle for objects to be used in connection with the table, which receptacle and leg are swingable so as to depend from the :table when preparing the same for`4use and to be swung between folding parts of the table for being located between said table parts when the table is notinuse.`=

My invention consists further rin providing a novel portable table,\cornp`rising a` `plurality of table top sections having a compartment be` tween themVV and so hinged as to form a substantially closed container when the tabletop sec-` tions are4 folded, and -a leg and receptacle so hinged with 4relation to thetable top sections as to swing out of said compartment when the table is opened and toswing'into said compartment whenthe Ytable is folded for'closing the same.

The invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, `in which latter:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved device, shown in a position of use.

, to partially support'theltable upon a compara?-L Fig. 2 is-a perspective view of my improved de- 4 vice in folded relation.

Fig. 3 is a planf' perspective view of` my improved device in spread relation, with the leg and receptacle therein in folded relation.

Fig. 4 is a bottom perspectiveiview of myim- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectionof'my improved device, in folded relation, takenin the plane ofthe line 6-6 of Fig. 3, and partly broken away. s 4 i Fig. 'I is a cross-sectional detail viewvof my improved device, taken on the line 1-1 ofFig. 3, and partlybroken away. 4, 44 44 4 i 4 i My improved device is exemplified as`com`prising a table top` Il, having tablesections If244and I3, which are hinged together by hinges I4, I-5 so` ments 25, 26, in the *respectivftable sections;`

which are arrangedto Vbe folded toward each other for forming a closed compartment between said table sections. Theend `walls 2I4 are inner end walls and are proximate to each other and are shownhinged together. The'walls 22 are the outer end Walls. 4 4 s A supporting leg 3| is provided for the device tively steady object, asupon the oor, rung-of a chair, orthe` like. The legis movably attached to the table top and is shown hinged thereto`. is arranged to be moved into supporting position" recesses 34 inthe inner faces ofthe proximate, inner end Walls 2| of thetable sections`,gwherein` they are fastened by suitable screws in suchmannerpreferably as to locate the axislofthe hinge pintle 36 ofthe hinge I4 coincident with the proximate inner corners 31 of the inner endlwallsY of the table sections, so that when the tableseC'-,` i tions are folded the inner opposed faces of said inner walls are in close proximity Afor forming a closed container. When the table sections are spread their outer edgefaces adjacent to the' hinge may form stops to limit swinging Vof Athe tabletop sections. 4 .4 g 4 f 4 ,4

There is an additional hinge between the table sections to which the table leg is preferably attached. This hinge I is shown as a triple hinge, provided with butts 4l, 42, having a hinge pintle 43 between-them, the latter butts being let into recesses 44, in the inner oppose-d faces of the inner end walls of the table top sections so as to locate the inner faces of said butts flush with said inner opposed faces and to locate the axis of its hinge pintle 43 substantially coincident with the proximate inner corners 31 of the inner faces of said inner walls and in line with the axis of the pintle 35 of the hinge I4, so that when the table sections are folded there is a substantially closed parting line between the table sections.

The triple hinge is also provided with butts 45, which are secured to the inner faces of thel side walls 24 of the table sections, hinge pintles 45 being located between said butts and the outer ends .of the butts 4| of said hinges, with the longitudinal axes ofsaid last-named pintles being located in the plane of the bottom walls of the recesses 44, and within the proximate faces of the side walls V24, so that the inner ends of the butts 4| when swung outwardly will be inside the outer faces, parallel with the table top, of the side walls 24 of the table sections, and have their outward movement obstructed by said side walls in order to locate the table leg at substantial right angles to the supporting face of the table when in spread relation.

The table leg isv extensible for height and level and tilted positions of the table when in use. The leg comprises a channel section 5I, shown angular in cross-section, and providedl with` a lengthwise slot 52.' An inner leg section 53 is slidabl-e in said outer section to exten/d or shorten the table leg. Arclamp screw 54 is threaded into said inner section, a washer 55 being located between the head of said clamp screw and the walls of said slot, for clamping the leg sections together at any adjusted position for height and inclination of the table.

The inner end of the outer leg section isV provided with a Core 51, into which screws 58, passing through the hinge butt 42 and the outer leg section, are threaded, for securing the outer leg section to said hinge butts 4l, 42, in order that said butts and the table leg may swing together, whenV the table top sections are in spread relation. When the hinge l5 and leg are in tilted or de-V pending relation, to form support for the table, the hinge butts 4l, 42 are locked to Vprevent swinging on their pintle 43 with relation to each other, so as to lock the table sections in open relation, by reason of the fact that the hinge pintle 43 is at right angles to the hinge pintles 46, thereby preventing the swinging of the hinge butts 4l, 42 on their pintle 43 with relation to each other, and such locked relation continues until said hinge pintle 43 is located in substantial coincidence with the parting lines between the inner corners of the inner walls of the table sections, c

The swinging end of the tableA leg is received in a recess 6| in one of the side walls, 2,3 kof the table sections when in collapsed relation so as to locate the inner face of said leg andthe inner face of the hinge butt to which it is attached within the table section in which it is located, to permit closing of the table sections when folding the same. Thereis preferably a tapered side the side wall of the recess 6l in which it is lo:

cated, this tapered wall being shown as .one of the walls of the recess, tapered downwardly and outwardly, for ready reception of the table leg in fully folded relation when folding the table.

The table is provided with friction pads arranged to contact a relatively stationary object when the table is in use for aiding in locating the saine and holding the same in position of use. Such pads are shown at 65, and are located in recesses Si in the respective side walls 23 of the table sections. Their outer faces are shown substantially flush With the opposed inner faces of said side walls, so that when said table sections are in closed relation the opposed faces of said table sections may substantially meet for closing the compartment.

These friction pads are suitably located preferably at that side of the table opposite to the side at which the leg has its connection with the table top, and in such position as to contact a comparatively relatively stationary object, for instance, the lap of the user, the arms of .the chair in which the user is sitting when using the tabie, or such other object in adjacency to the arrangedY to form a partial support for the tebe. `These friction pads are preferably readily resilient rubber, for instance, sponge rubber, and are shown as let into the inner opposed faces of the table sections when folded.

A These pads are preferably at the outer portions, of the table adjacent to the user when in use, and at the side of the table top opposite the side at which the leg is hinged, there being preferably a pad at each side of the users position, with the parting line or hinge connection between the table top sections located between the pads, yso that they with the leg of the table form a threepeint support for the table when in use.

T e table is arranged to be used for various purposes. It is capable of use by the userto form a convenient supporting table for various games, as cards, checkers, chess and the like, and is convenient for individual use by the user with relation to whom the table is positioned, as in playing an individual card game, such as solitaire. It may be used as a reading table, a writing table, a sewing table, or for other purposes, according to the desires of the user.

A receptacle 'H for cards and paraphernalia for various` games, for writing material, for sew-` materials and for other objects, isprovided,

and. is supported with relation to the table so as.

to swing inwardly or outwardly asthe table sections are'opened for use or closed when out ofV shown provided with a hinge flap 'I secured to the inner face of one of the outer end walls 22 of the table sections by screws 15 and having av hinge joint 'i6 with the receptacle, this hinge joint being at the middle portion in depth of the receptacle, so that the receptacle may extend into each of the sectional table compartments when the table is closed, and so that the receptacle may depend from one end of the table withA its openings 'i3 exposedoutwardly, in order that when the device is in use the contents of the receptacle are within easy reach of the user, and

the receptacle itself is alongside the user, and so as not to interfere with the movements of the user when using the table. The receptacle and the leg of the table are hinged at the outer portion of the table with relation to the user when the table is in use.

A usual position of use of the table is illustrated in Fig. 1. In thisposition the friction pads B rest on the arms 8| of achair 82 in which the user sits. The leg 3| of the table is supported on the floor. The leg and the friction pads 65, 66 form a three-point support for the table. The pads hold the inner side of the table to prevent shifting thereof. The legs of the user are accommodated under the table, the receptacle 1| depending from the table at the right of the user. The table is supported on its pads at the respective sides of the user and the leg of the table is positioned in front of the user, providing a compact arrangement for convenient use.

When the table sections are folded they are preferably held together by a latch 85 of suitable construction, shown as a exible strap fixed at one end to one of the table sections, and having a pin and socket connection 86 at its other end with the other of the table sections. Each of the table sections is preferably provided with a handle 89 by which the table may be carried. These handles are shown collapsible by having their shanks 9|) slide in holes 9| in the outer end walls of the table sections and having inwardly bent flanges '92 at their inner ends for holding the handles to the table sections but permitting inward and outward movements of the handles. These handles may be leather covered wire.

In using the device the swinging ends of its sections may be grasped by the user, and held, with the side portion thereof to which the leg and receptacle are hinged toward the user, who then swings the table sections for opening the container. The user then turns the open table by moving the hinged leg portion downwardly and outwardly away from him, so that when the table becomes reversed, the leg and the receptacle swing downwardly automatically by gravity, which places the padded end of the table sections toward the user for location on the legs of the user, or arms of the chair or the relatively stationary part on which this side of the table is adapted to rest, the leg depending toward the floor. The length of the leg may be regulated to accommodate the heightof the side of the table toward the user either into level position when level position of the table is desired, or in upwardly slanting position when a slanting position of the table is desired, as when reading.

The table can be used individually by the user in connection with whom lthe table is so positioned, or it may be used as a table between himself and a person sitting opposite him, lor between himself and persons sitting about the table in front of the user, as in playing cards or other games. The table may also be used in connection with service of refreshments at social functions and for other purposes.

place of storage, and makes a presentable piece of furniture when exposed, either in extended or folded relation. It may also be made of sufficient depth as a container in which a portable typewriter may be carried when the table is folded, and on which the typewriter may be used when the table is spread.

If the table is to be repeatedly used under similar conditions, with the leg extended, the leg may remain extended when the table is folded, with the extension of the leg protruding from the recess 6|, the table being ready to be spread and again set up with the previous result as to height and inclination of its top without readjusting the length of the table leg.

I claim:

1. A portable foldable table comprising a pair of table sections having hinge connection between them and provided with a compartment between them when folded to closed position, a hinge comprising a pair of sections having hinge connection with both said table sections on a pivotal axis at substantial right angles to the pivotal axis of said first-named hinge connection and said hinge sections having a hinge connection between them forming part of said first-named hinge connection when said hinge is folded toward said table sections and forming a brace between said table sections when unfolded to open position, and a leg for said table sections, said leg having attachment with said hinge and located adjacent to said first-named hinge connection when folded and foldable into said compartment on said second-named hinge connection.

2. In a foldable portable table, the combination of a pair of table top sections having hinge connection between them andprovided with walls to form mating compartments therein when said table top sections are folded, the outer portions of the side walls at one side of said sections provided with recesses, pads located in said recesses,

a leg, and a hinge for said leg whereon to swing said leg into a compartment when said sections are folded, said hinge comprising butts having pivotal connection between them in substantial line with said first-named hinge connection when said table top is folded and Apivotal connections with said walls at the opposite sides of said sections, and the adjacent walls of said compartments provided with recesses for receiving said butts, and constructed whereby to substantially locate said pads and said butts within the planes extended in which the proximate faces of said walls are located when said table top sections are folded to substantially close said mating compartments.

WILLIAM C. F. DIETZ. 

